December 9th, 2012

Schleese is pleased to announce the latest addition to our stable of dressage saddles – The “Obrigado”. Schleese’s newest best-seller allows every rider to feel the breathing of the horse, with the horse moving as freely as if he were not under saddle! The Obrigado provides several unique features benefiting horse and rider. Built on a modified AdapTree®, the Obrigad...

October 17th, 2012

The weekend of October 5-7, 2012 featured world renowned veterinarian and author Dr. Gerd Heuschmann as guest clinician at Loch Hurst Farm in Vass, NC where “The Biomechanics of the Horse” was the topic of interest for the riders and auditors. On Friday evening (October 5) an industry roundtable discussion was held, including such equine professionals as trainer Shaw...

October 1st, 2012

There are several important elements to consider in determining the proper saddle fit especially for women – which is 85% of Schleese’s market – and makes us the only female saddle specialist in the world!
Our saddle fitters all have a comprehensive understanding of equine biomechanics and how saddles need to fit to prevent long term back damage in the horse, but w...

September 13th, 2012

The Equine Sciences Academy is proud and honored to announce that Jochen and Sabine Schleese of Schleese Saddlery and Saddlefit4Life are joining the esteemed group of equine professionals on our Advisory Panel.
Certified Master Saddler, Saddlefitter and Equine Ergonomist Jochen Schleese received his initial training in saddle making from Passier and Sohn in Germany...

posted October 24th, 2018

posted December 18th, 2018

Rider Testimonials

Today is Mister’s one year anniversary with his Schleese saddle. It has been a tremendous year with ups-and-downs. He has gone through such enormous changes that his body couldn’tt handle it.
But when we found out how to handle it or what the solution should be, he was able to do what we never expected.
He changed especially at his shoulders and in the curvature of his back.
Mister’s body changed under the HK. But what he does under the Obrigado is beyond any expectation. All his life he has been a horse running away, off the hind leg, being so hotand sensitive it was often almost impossible to ride him.
Although he improved in his stature and in his rideability, these characteristics stayed. So we thought it was due to the long term damage he has, or maybe it is also part of his character. And then we started riding with the Obrigado.
But did you expect that he would change within 3 days (I’m not kidding!) into a horse that does not run away anymore at all, that uses the hind leg not only in forward motion, but he brakes on the hind leg now. Sometimes even too much, then it’s almost a sliding stop. He is able to get on the hind leg and at the same time lower his neck. I can ride him now, instead of being that mosquito hitch-hiking on his back.
The biggest gift is this: he can do piaffe under the Obrigado. It is not steady yet, I do not expect that either. It has only been three weeks riding like this now. But what was never accomplished, although trying for years and years of training with well-known trainers, turned out not to be a very hard job at all. They were just in need of the right saddle.
So this is what happens with an older horse. Mister is 20 years old.